Five weeks are gone in the season, and the top teams are having trouble keeping their position, if they haven’t lost it already. Both Eastern Divisions are remarkably close from top to bottom as well. The NL East also sees all five teams currently at least at .500. With such a tumultuous start to May, let’s look at what would happen if the playoffs started as of Tuesday, May 6, before the day’s games:

National League

#1 Milwaukee Brewers

A rough go of things for the Brewers and NL Central in general have the Brewers in no danger of losing their hold on the division anytime soon, but that is hurting them as far as holding #1 is concerned. Another roll will be required for Milwaukee to make any postseason noise, or it will be a quick out for the current NL top team.

#2 San Francisco Giants vs #3 Washington Nationals

The Giants have won six straight, and 10 of 11, to pull within half a game of Milwaukee. Washington has been having a so-so week, discounting the wins in Houston, but is taking advantage of Atlanta’s lengthy slump for divisional standing. Health is hurting Washington already, which must change in order for them to compete with a team playing like the Giants are now.

#W1 Colorado Rockies vs #W2 Atlanta Braves

Colorado has been doing well, already to 20 wins and just two games behind the streaking Giants. Atlanta has lost seven straight. You can’t have that sort of negative momentum going into a sudden death game.

American League:

#1 Detroit Tigers

Detroit has won six straight, and their games-in-hand have translated into a league-low nine losses. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander continue to stifle opponents while Detroit’s bats can certainly rack up run support if they need to. When Detroit is putting everything together, it takes a Herculean effort to stop them.

#2 Oakland Athletics vs #3 Baltimore Orioles

Oakland swept Texas to remain in control of the division, but only by two games. The Orioles are keeping pace in a division where #1 and #5 are separated by just 1.5 games, despite two losses in Minnesota. Oakland does have a losing home record, but is much better on the road. That may help them for now or it may not, but against Detroit, that won’t mean too much.

#W1 Texas Rangers vs #W2 Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have slowly but surely been moving into Wildcard positioning, while Texas, despite taking two of three from the Angels, is 3-7 in their last 10. With Jered Weaver and Yu Darvish on the mound, raising pitch counts becomes a factor, and one false move could ruin everything.

What Might Change Next Week:

The Mets and Marlins meet in Miami, with the winner being in good position too take a spot.

With a lot of teams so close, for that matter, look for someone to fly under the radar and pull ahead somewhere.